"It was an embarrassment, but we were desperate for the cash."How Thin Lizzy saved their career by recording an album of Deep Purple covers

Thin Lizzy in 1973.

Back in 1972, Phil Lynott was not happy. Thin Lizzy's first albums for Decca – 1971's self-titled debut and the following year's Shades of a Blue Orphanage – had both been commercial flops, and the label was about to drop them. One more single, and that would be it.

But there was hope. Band leader Lynott had written a song he was certain could provide a hit and lift the malaise, a Hendrix-imbued funk-rock groover called Black Boys On The Corner.